Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;Esperanto Improved&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Esperanto Improved,’ having a uniform canopy of dark pink-purple/white striped single type flowers with a yellow/green disc. The new variety exhibits medium vigor with a free branching and uniform spreading habit and good foliage presentation.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/413,584, filed Sep. 24, 2002.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

[0002] Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0003] The new Chrysanthemum variety denomination is ‘EsperantoImproved.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, andreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Esperanto Improved.’

[0005] ‘Esperanto Improved,’ originated from a whole plant mutationgrown in a controlled planting of the variety ‘Esperanto’ (U.S. Plantpatent application Ser. No. 10/029888) at Valsequillo, Gran Canaria,Spain. The new variety ‘Esperanto Improved’ has been asexuallyreproduced by vegetative cuttings in Chichester, West Sussex, UnitedKingdom and the distinguishing characteristics are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] ‘Esperanto Improved’ is a pot type of Chrysanthemum plant varietyhaving dark pink purple/white striped single type flowers.

Comparison with Parent

[0007] Plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Esperanto Improved’ aresimilar to the parent cultivar ‘Esperanto’ in plant habitat and growthrate. In side-by-side comparisons in Chichester, West Sussex, UnitedKingdom, under commercial practice, plants of the new Chrysanthemumvariety ‘Esperanto Improved’ compared to plants of the parent cultivar‘Esperanto’ in the following characteristics.

[0008] 1. The new variety ‘Esperanto Improved’ produces darkpink-purple/white single type flowers whereas the parent cultivar‘Esperanto’ produces paler pink/white striped single type flowers.

[0009] 2. Plants of the new variety ‘Esperanto Improved’ have similarinflorescence to the plants of the parent cultivar ‘Esperanto.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

[0010] Typical specimens of the plant and flowers for the newChrysanthemum variety ‘Esperanto Improved’ are shown in the accompanyingdigital photograph. The colors shown are as true as possible within theusual limits of this kind of illustration. FIG. 1 is a whole plant viewof the new variety ‘Esperanto Improved’ grown in a pot. The plant shownin the illustration and described here is 53 days from commencement ofShort Days.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0011] The following description of the new Chrysanthemum variety‘Esperanto Improved’ is of plants grown in a greenhouse in Chichester,West Sussex, United Kingdom in the month of February. The cultivar hasnot been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary significantly with variations in the environment suchas temperature, length of day and light intensity, without any variancein genotype. The commercial classification of the new variety is a potChrysanthemum.

[0012] Plants of the new variety have been grown successfully undertemperature conditions averaging about 18° C. at night and about 24° C.to 25° C. during the day under light conditions of about 5000 to 6000foot candles. The plants respond well to the use of growth retardant,such as B9 treatment. To produce a commercial product the plants may bepinched once with the center bud removed. The typical container size forcommercial growth is 14 cm. It has been observed that the shelf life ofthe new variety is about 24 days with a response time of about 7.5weeks. The new variety is suitable for growth in a temperature range of17° C. to 28° C.

[0013] The following description is with respect to a plant produced aspot Chrysanthemum. In the description of this new Chrysanthemum variety,color values have been taken from The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.C.C.).

Plant

[0014] Plant type: Pot.

[0015] Habit: Upright and free branching.

[0016] Height: 23 cm.

[0017] Width: 36 cm.

[0018] Branching characteristics: Upright and free branching.

[0019] Length of lateral branches: 6-11 cm.

[0020] Number of breaks from pinch: 3-5.

[0021] Stem color: 137A.

[0022] Response time: 53 days.

[0023] Vigor: Medium.

[0024] Shelf life: 24 days.

[0025] Disease/Pest (susceptibility/resistance observed): None observedto date.

[0026] Growth retardant type and treatment: 3 applications of 2.5gm/litre B9 at 2, 21, and 28 days after sticking of unrooted cuttings.

[0027] The plants were grown for 3 weeks in Long Day conditions (20hours of light) and then transferred to Short Day conditions (13 hoursof dark).

[0028] Propagation:

[0029]Type.—Vegetative Propagation Via Stem Cuttings.

[0030]Time to rooting.—12-14 days with soil temperatures of 18° C.

[0031]Rooting habit.—Fine and Fibrous.

Foliage

[0032] Number of leaves per lateral branch.—8-11.

[0033] Compound or single: Single.

[0034] Arrangement of Leaves: Alternate.

[0035]Shape of leaf.—typically 5 lobed ovate.

[0036]Size of leaf.—Width (cm): 3.5-7 Length (cm): 5-10.

[0037]Leaf apex.—Acute.

[0038]Base.—Obtuse.

[0039]Attachment.—Petioled.

[0040]Aspect.—Slightly undulating.

[0041]Margin.—Palmetely lobed.

[0042]Surface characteristics.—Top: Slightly pubescent. Bottom:Pubescent.

[0043] Petiole:

[0044]Color.—137B.

[0045]Length.—1.5 cm.

[0046] Venation: Net prominent midvein at underside.

[0047]Color.—upper side: Near 146D. under side: Near 146D.

[0048] Color:

[0049]Mature leaf, upper side.—Near 137A; under side: Near 138A.

[0050]Young leaf, upper side.—Near 137B; under side: Near 138B.

Flower

[0051] Flower appearance: Slightly cupped.

[0052] Flower type: Single.

[0053] Flower form: Cupped.

[0054] Flower shape: Circular.

[0055] Flowering habit: Cyme.

[0056] Number of blossoms per branch.—3-5.

[0057] Inflorescence form: Pyramidal.

[0058]Depth of fully expanded blossoms.—2 cm.

[0059]Diameter of fully expanded blossoms.—6-7 cm.

[0060] Phyllaries:

[0061]Number.—28-30.

[0062]Outer color.—Near 136C.

[0063]Length.—0.5-0.9 cm.

[0064]Width.—0.2-0.4 cm.

[0065]Texture/Appearance.—Pubescent.

[0066] Peduncle: Peduncle length is shortest at the terminal flower andprogressively longer moving down the stem.

[0067]Length.—2.5-10 cm.

[0068]Color.—Near 136C.

[0069]Surface.—Pubescent.

[0070]Habit.—Slightly curving.

[0071]Strength.—Medium.

[0072] Pedicel:

[0073]Length.—Terminal: 2-4.5 cm; Lateral: 2.5-7 cm.

[0074]Color.—Near 138B.

[0075]Surface.—Pubescent.

[0076]Habit.—Slightly curving.

[0077]Strength.—Medium.

[0078] Ray florets:

[0079]Form/Shape.—Straight.

[0080]Texture/Appearance.—Matte.

[0081]Number per flower.—25-30.

[0082]Length.—3-3.5 cm; Width: 0.8-1.2 cm.

[0083]Apex.—Rounded.

[0084]Base.—Tubular.

[0085]Margin.—Entire.

[0086] Disc florets:

[0087]Form/Shape.—Cylindrical.

[0088]Texture/Appearance.—Shiny.

[0089]Number per flower.—170-250.

[0090]Length.—0.3-0.6 cm; Width <0.1-0.1 cm.

[0091]Diameter of Disc.—1.2-1.5 cm.

[0092] Fragrance: Faint.

[0093] Flower bud (at onset of color):

[0094]Length.—1.5 cm.

[0095]Diameter.—1.0 cm.

[0096]Form/shape.—Globular.

[0097] General flower color:

[0098] 1. Ray florets, upper side.—Immature: Near 58B and 155D. Mature:Near 58B and 155D. Older/Fading: Near 58C and 155D.

[0099] 2. Ray florets, under side.—Immature: Near 58B and 155D. Mature:Near 58B and 155D. Older/Fading: Near 58C and 155D.

[0100] 3. Disc florets.—Immature: Near 143B. Mature: Near 154B.Older/Fading: Near 143A.

[0101] 4. Bud.—138B.

[0102] Flower progression with age: Flower form does not change with agebut there is a little color fading.

[0103] Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Foliage remains good withage.

Reproductive Organs

[0104] Gynoecium present on Ray and Disc florets.

[0105] Ray florets:

[0106]Pistil number.—25.

[0107]Stigma color.—Near 6C.

[0108]Stigma shape.—Forked.

[0109]Style color.—Near 6C.

[0110]Style length.—0.4 cm.

[0111] Disc florets:

[0112]Pistil number.—>35.

[0113]Stigma color.—Near 6C

[0114]Stigma shape.—Forked.

[0115]Style color.—Near 6C.

[0116]Style length.—0.2 cm.

[0117] Androecium: None observed to date.

[0118] Fruit and seeds: None observed to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemumplant, substantially as described and illustrated herein.